Australia's most prestigious single vineyard icon, Henschke Hill of Grace's provenance from this small Eden Valley patch makes it the ultimate statement or rare gift. Stephen and Prue Henschke continue the tradition that is their family legacy with utmost class and ingenuity as can be tasted in this remarkable single-vineyard shiraz.

The domain traces its beginning to the founding in 1984 of Harlan Estate, located in the western hills of Oakville and conceived as a “first growth of California.” In 1996, the family established BOND, a portfolio of “Grand Cru” vineyards whose wines showcase the range of expression of cabernet sauvignon across distinct geographical sites within the Napa Valley. As these varied sites were gradually replanted, many of the young vines contributed to my project. Yet, despite these distinguished origins, my early endeavour could only hint at the individual character embodied by each of our grands vins. The Mascot is a Cabernet Sauvignon predominant blend alongside a balance of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. It started out as a small project shared among the family, winemaking team and close friends .The wine showed charm and over time drew an affectionate following - so enthusiastic a following that they felt this intimate bottling deserved to have an identity of its own. The team took a little convincing, as the wine existed at first in very small quantities. But as more of the newer vines reached an age appropriate to warrant inclusion in the blend (typically 7 - 12 years) a certain number of barrels could be set aside for this project on an annual basis. Drawing fruit from blocks of recently replanted vineyards, The Mascot shares a glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of their future. The vineyard’s Harlan, BOND and Promontory are part of a yearly replanting program, albeit a very small percentage of the overall size of the vineyards to maintain vine health. This of course means each estate has a small evolving parcel of younger vines which when ready are selected for The Mascot. Each parcel is made separately at its respective wineries then blended during the middle to later stages of the barrel aging. At the core of the philosophy of The Mascot is the family’s passion to ensure the wine is ready for enjoyment immediately on release, hence its aged for a significant time in barrel and bottle before being made available to purchase. From the start, the principal characteristic of The Mascot was vigor tempered by approachability. We decided to mature the wine a little longer, so that, upon release, it was delicious to drink and intensely vibrant, with the force and depth that enabled extended aging, a wine to enjoy viscerally and without excessive reverence. In short, the wonderful wine to share among friends and family. Following a vintage full of changing conditions and demanding decision points, the steady and pleasant progress of the 2018 vintage left the team, at times, in limbo. Contradictory as it may seem, the dramas that sometimes punctuate the definitive months for the growing season help to frame the winegrowing team’s course of action; yet the tranquil succession of weeks that emerged between spring and fall in 2018 left almost entirely open the question of when to harvest. Healthy rainfall in March and April preceded a benevolent summer, whose mildness was interrupted only briefly by a few warming periods. The fruit of the young vines maintained a measured balance that gave the team little indication that harvest was imminent. Fog and temperate days followed in September, when relying more on instinct than empirical cues they began to pick. This judgment, as well as the gentle nature of the season, is confirmed in the subtle, ethereal power of the vintage, which reveals itself first in the deep, brooding aromas of dark fruit, black tea, and herbal notes. The texture expands around a lifted structure, as powdery tannins gently resolve. This diffused, enigmatic softness is anchored on the mid-palate by a gratifying density, which prepares the senses for a flourish of hidden energy and vivid detail that illuminates the finish.

Louis Roederer is a highly respected Champagne producer located in the historic city of Reims. The renowned Champagne house, founded in the late 1700s, is still owned and operated by the Roederer family. Their signature style consists of an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a touch of Pinot Meunier, which comprises approximately one-fifth of the blend. Louis Roederer's most famous wine is Cristal, a prestigious Champagne that has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts worldwide. The house was founded in 1833 and aimed to capture foreign markets, particularly Russia. Roederer became the wine of choice for the Russian royal family, and Cristal was created for Tsar Alexander II. Louis Roederer acquired grand cru vineyards in Champagne in 1845, which was unusual for the time as most houses were buying grapes from growers. Today, the Roederer vineyards encompass around 240 hectares of land, with around 25% managed biodynamically. This commitment to sustainable farming practices is a testament to the house's dedication to producing high-quality wines that are both delicious and environmentally responsible. Collection 244 NV is based from the 2019 vintage. It was a year of record-breaking temperatures brought by particularly intense heat waves. Dry and continental and of magnificent maturity, this year gave us wines that were dense and fresh, with a masterful balance, conducive to bringing out the powerful and luscious Collection character in the blend. This 244th Blend includes: - Perpetual Reserve - 36% (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018) - Reserve Wines Aged in Oak - 10% (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018) - 2019 Vintage - 54% The Louis Roederer Collection 244 NV is a remarkable champagne that captivates the senses from the moment it is poured. Its bright, golden hue with shimmering highlights is visually enticing, while the fine, lively mousse creates a delightful effervescence. The bouquet is both open and rich, exuding a wonderful freshness. It offers an explosion of ripe delicate fruit with intense notes of yellow fruit such as mirabelle plum from the Pinot Noir, complemented by the sweetness of citrus fruits like lemon meringue pie and delicate hints of white flowers specifically jasmine from the Chardonnay. As the wine opens up autolytic characters emerge evolving towards smoky roasted notes and the enticing aroma of freshly baked pastries. On the palate, the Louis Roederer Collection 244 NV reveals its depth and density, supported by a well-structured backbone. The texture is simply mesmerizing with a fleshy mouthfeel that coats the palate courtesy of the Pinot Noir. This then gives way to an incredible saline freshness accompanied by a pleasant hint of bitterness. The wine beautifully combines the strength, intensity and power of the delectably ripe Pinot Noir grapes, which are perfectly balanced by the chalky freshness and density from the majority Chardonnay blend. It is a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures that lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression.

D’Anna Middleton Lewis (DML VIN) is a partnership between the D’Anna family, Sam Middleton from Mount Mary and Jordan Lewis. It focuses on single site regional Pinot Noir with the first vintage being released in June 2019.

DOMAINE DE CHATEAU DE MEURSAULT Clos des Epenots, Pommard

RIDGE VINEYARDS Lytton Springs Zinfandel Petite Syrah Carignan, Sonoma

TOLLOT-BEAUT Champ Chevrey Monopole 1er cru, Savigny

The second wine of Chateau Margaux came about partly due to misfortune - when an attack of phylloxera decimated the vineyards, necessitating a replanting of the majority of their vineyards. The lack of grapes eliminated the possibility of a First Growth Quality wine and led to the production of their second wine - the Pavillon Rouge de Chateau Margaux, the first official vintage of which was released in 1906. Renowned as a sterling example of a second wine, the 2016 has been hailed as a particularly superb vintage. Medium-bodied, silky, intense and tannic, it continues its impressive trajectory year upon year.